Hi everyone I'm looking for advice on adding a plasma torch to my benchtop CNC milling machine running on Mach 3. I cut six small copper shape I 0.7mm copper plate for a friend using a 3mm cutter, being copper it was a nightmare as cutters kept breaking. I finally did the job for him thinking that was that. Unfortunately I did a good job, he was well pleased and proceeded to ask for another 100. I pointed out the cost of tooling and the time it took me saying if you were paying industry prices it would be cheaper to cast them in gold, but said I would think about it. I'm a hobbyist and don't do contract work however I had a thought that retro fitting a cheap plasma cutter might be cost effective method of doing the job, indeed if i did the 100 pieces for him it would pay for the plasma cutter. Just for reference the component is 100mm x 75mm x 0.7mm with rads and internal corners that should be sharp, so I have to file out the 3mm rads caused by the cutter.
Here's the question(s).
Can you use a hand held torch, fitted to the z axis to cut components.
Will the plasma unit cause problems with the machines electronics
What other equipment will I need, I have a standard compressor.
The cut can start on or off the job, but looking on the forum cutter height and arc contact seem to be important how do I achieve this
I'm not looking for a pucker units, just one for this job, although I do make model steam trains and might find other uses for plasma cutting.
OK I can hear some of you saying where is this bloke coming from, but being a retired tight fisted mechanical engineer I ain't got a clue about plasma cutting, its all science fiction to me. I thought to cut material as long a the cutter was harder than the material to be cut I was OK.
Advice and suggestions welcome, Cheers fellow CNCers.